Love Me, Love My Devil Dog Reportage Dangerous Dogs Are Back in the News. So Why Give House Room to a Big, Scary Hound? Vicky Allan Reports

Summary

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BIG dogs make a statement about their owners. There is a theory that the pets we choose reflect or compensate for some part of our character, and in this context, owning a big, tough dog says a lot. Big dogs frighten and intimidate. Partly, this is because of media coverage of serious attacks by particular breeds. Partly, it is because of the humans associated with such dogs. The Rottweiler, Staffordshire bull terrier, the pitbull and the German shepherd are such breeds.

Dangerous dogs have been in the news again recently. The killing of one-year-old Archie-Lee Hirst by a Rottweiler, along with MSP Alex Neil's proposal for a new law on the issue, made me wonder what kind of people choose to keep big, scary dogs. Most are responsible people who feel the image of their dog has been blighted by a reckless minority. Even the banned pitbull has its thoughtful owners.

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Love Me, Love My Devil Dog Reportage Dangerous Dogs Are Back in the News. So Why Give House Room to a Big, Scary Hound? Vicky Allan Reports

With the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991, Britain invented the idea of breed specific legislation.

But by banning certain types of dog, the act promoted the idea that there were breeds so violent that they ought to be eradicated, that the behaviour of dogs is genetically defined.

In researching this article, the phrase I most frequently heard was: "It's not the dog, it's the owner." I met many lovely dogs and responsible owners. There was the woman who kept her placid Rottweiler muzzled to make others feel comfortable. Another was in counselling following the death of her beloved Rottweiler. The range of people who own these dogs is vast. Their reasons for getting them are numerous. One thing they must share, though,...

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